Fight Rising Malnutrition in Rural Guatemala

I boarded the only bus bound for the community of Paraxquin with nutrition technician Johana at 6:30 am. During the ninety-minute journey from Maya Health offices,  80s and 90s music accompanied numerous mothers as they embarked and disembarked , alongside many young men likely traveling to harvest coffee in the surrounding communities.

Finding a seat on the bus today was a luxury, Johana remarked. She explained that once school starts,she’s often required to endure the lengthy commute standing.

Nestled in the northern region of Tecpán, the remote community of Paraxquin boasts breathtaking views of the volcanoes.

Johana has cultivated strong connections within the community; mothers keep the tool she uses for measuring children's height at their homes, sparing her from lugging it along the entire route.

Our first visit of the morning was to see patient Jose Miguel and his family. Jose Miguel has been part of the Family-Centered Nutrition Program since December 20th, 2023. He was initially diagnosed with "moderate growth delay,” meaning his height and weight were below the expected range for his age. But under the dedicated care of his mother, Doña Juana and her husband Miguel, Jose Miguel's health has shown significant improvement in the two monthly visits since he was enrolled in the program.

During the monthly visits,  the nutrition technician weights and measures the children. After greeting Jose Miguel’s mother and asking how everything was going, Johana skillfully tossed rope over a beam in the Mendez family's house and checked to make sure it was securely fastened. She then hung a scale on the rope to weigh Jose Miguel. She noted the results in his online medical record with the help of her cell phone.

Next, Johana extended the stadiometer, a board-like tool used to measure height, on the floor of Doña Juana's house. Jose ; Miguel’s father helped to measure his son by holding his head and little hands so that he remained completely straight. Carefully, Johana pressed his feet to take the measurement correctly. Johana noted the measurement was 77.9 centimeters, more than four centimeters longer than when he began the program two months earlier.  Surprised by the significant change in such a short time, she measured Jose Miguel again. Johana was elated to discover that Jose Miguel had gained 9 ounces in weight and "Oxi centimetros" (3 centimeters in Kaqchikel) in height since the last visit a month ago.

The entire family was thrilled and attentive as Johana conducted a session on the importance of the seven food groups and the concept of eating a rainbow of colors, such as red (tomatoes, apples, watermelon, chili peppers, radishes), orange (melon, carrots, chayote squash, oranges, and papaya), yellow (pineapple, eggs, bananas, pears), green (broccoli, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, lime), and purple hues (eggplant, yuca, grapes, beets). She also explained the growth curve so Jose Miguel’s family could easily understand how he was progressing toward a healthy weight and height for a child of  his age.

Jose Miguel is progressing well, thanks to the love and unwavering support of his family, including his little sister, mother, father, and his beloved kitten.

As we departed Jose Miguel's home, the warmth of their gratitude lingered, reminding us of the profound impact our work can have on the lives of those we serve.

Early Friday morning, we embarked on our journey to San Antonio Suchitepéquez to meet Irma Robles, a Nutrition Technician deeply involved with Wuqu’ Kawoq for the past 8 years.

At 7:30 am, we arrived at the Miller Clinic, instantly feeling the shift to a warmer climate. We packed pure water and some snacks for the journey as we set off walking along the road with Irma. Unexpectedly, we ventured onto an unmarked path amidst the highway, stepping into what seemed like a bit of jungle among the trees and humidity. Despite large rocks strewn across the path, remnants of a river from years past, this was no obstacle for Irma.

We were warmly welcomed into the home of Doña Guadalupe, a member of the "Socorro" community, where she resides with her two children. She shared her introduction to Wuqu’ Kawoq's work through the medical missions held at the Miller Clinic. Doña Guadalupe recounted an instance when Irma, recruiting children for the Nutrition program in the "Socorro" community, assessed Dylan's weight and height at her home. It was then discovered that he required high-quality medical attention due to growth retardation. Thus began the collaborative efforts between Doña Guadalupe and Irma.

Dylan's mother is immensely pleased with the service provided by Wuqu’ Kawoq. She expressed witnessing a significant increase in her son's growth and appreciates the care Irma provides. Moreover, she values the proximity of the Wuqu’ Kawoq Miller Clinic to her home, ensuring accessible medical attention for her children compared to the more distant health post.

Through Wuqu’ Kawoq's unwavering commitment and collaboration with community members like Irma Robles and Doña Guadalupe, significant strides have been made in addressing child malnutrition and healthcare accessibility.